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Starting a pedal company, suggestions?

#21
Don't forget that even if its a hobby business, its still a business. I recently dealt with a talkbass-based builder that took 6x longer than promised for a clone build and left out the only feature that would have made it unique, and refused to refund me (I even offered to let him keep some to pay for the parts). Overall just a horrible experience.
 
#27
If you are looking to get the word out, even a little bit, I'd be willing to do reviews in an unbiased setting, full 1080p with direct and mic recording.

I have done some reviews on my youtube page, and I have gotten great feedback on them. I would love to add more, and potentially help you out to get the word out.
 
#30
The only advise i can offer you after your "up and running".......is have a look for a thread on here dealing with people having a problem receiving a product in a timely manner. There has been a problem since at least 2007 where the builder will promise you their product in "weeks" just to get your money. Then they take MONTHS and continuously lie to you and say..."oh your order is on the table and will be sent out on tuesday!"...then nothing. Also ignoring pm's and letting your inbox fill up on purpose so you dont have to answer to your customer on a product that is months and sometimes over a year over due. Honesty is the best policy when your a small company. If you notice that its taking you a bit longer than planned....then tell your new potential customers a longer wait time and not "3 weeks" just to get the sale.

If you need a link to show what im talking about....pm me...im not going to post it in the thread. But you may know who im talking about already ;)
 
#31
Toolmybass said:
The only advise i can offer you after your "up and running".......is have a look for a thread on here dealing with people having a problem receiving a product in a timely manner. There has been a problem since at least 2007 where the builder will promise you their product in "weeks" just to get your money. Then they take MONTHS and continuously lie to you and say..."oh your order is on the table and will be sent out on tuesday!"...then nothing. Also ignoring pm's and letting your inbox fill up on purpose so you dont have to answer to your customer on a product that is months and sometimes over a year over due. Honesty is the best policy when your a small company. If you notice that its taking you a bit longer than planned....then tell your new potential customers a longer wait time and not "3 weeks" just to get the sale.

If you need a link to show what im talking about....pm me...im not going to post it in the thread. But you may know who im talking about already ;)
Click to expand...

I would rather hear, "I'm swamped and am not taking orders right now," or, "It will be about 4 months," than, "Oh yeah, 3 weeks if you pay me today," and not receive the pedal for 4 months (if at all)
 
#33
I agree. I've always been honest. I have 4 orders right now and have had to tell people the wait might be a little longer. Funny thing is, mos people are really understanding!:) I'm easy to deal with and want the customer happy. After all isn't that who makes the business successful?
 
#38
This is very admirable. PLEASE be aware of the huge challenge that it is to make any money in this market. I do OEM product development and manufacturing for many companies in this market and see what they go through to try to become successful.

At NAMM I was speaking with the Sales Manager of a large company that had just decided to get OUT of the pedal market - even though they had very very good, unique pedals. He said that he bought a market study that showed that there are nearly 200 makers of pedals, and 95% of pedal sales are from the top 10 makers such as Boss, etc. So that leaves just 5% of the market to be divided between the remaining 190 makers.

Even if you had something really unique - the marketing effort to get people to buy it is enormous! A Pedal is something that the user has to try - it is very personal. And the effort and cost to get dealers to take it on is even larger.

If you are doing this for fun and to make a few pedals here and there, have a good time. If you are looking to make money at it - I'd say don't quit your day job.

If you had something REALLY unique and interesting, I would go to one of the big pedal makers and license the design to them for a royalty of 2-5% of the product cost. Let THEM do all the hard work making, stocking, advertising, distributing and selling it - you'll make more money in the end.

Good Luck!
 

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